2 "Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people."
2 Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.
2 "Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people."
2 "Avenge the People of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you will go to be with your dead ancestors."
2 "Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people."
2 "On behalf of the people of Israel, take revenge on the Midianites for leading them into idolatry. After that, you will die and join your ancestors."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 31:2
Commentary on Numbers 31:1-6
(Read Numbers 31:1-6)
All who, without commission from God, dare to execute private revenge, and who, from ambition, covetousness, or resentment, wage war and desolate kingdoms, must one day answer for it. But if God, instead of sending an earthquake, a pestilence, or a famine, be pleased to authorize and command any people to avenge his cause, such a commission surely is just and right. The Israelites could show such a commission, though no persons now can do so. Their wars were begun and carried on expressly by Divine direction, and they were enabled to conquer by miracles. Unless it can be proved that the wicked Canaanites did not deserve their doom, objectors only prove their dislike to God, and their love to his enemies. Man makes light of the evil of sin, but God abhors it. This explains the terrible executions of the nations which had filled the measure of their sins.